The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has unveiled the winners of its FDF Awards in front of an audience of key stakeholders from across the industry.
Held at the London Roundhouse, the FDF Awards celebrates the top talent and innovation from across the sector. Across 20 categories, it rewards the organisations, projects, and people that have made a real impact, from businesses making a difference to local communities and apprentices who have made their mark, to innovations supporting the nation’s health or forward-thinking net-zero initiatives. The Awards were hosted by pastry chef, cookbook author, and television star, Ravneet Gill.
During the ceremony, FDF’s Chief Executive, Karen Betts, reflected on the often-invisible work that goes into feeding a nation of 70 million people with high quality, safe, and nutritious food and drink. She noted that it’s the people – the engineers, the scientists, the apprentices, the technologists – that make this happen, and that are at the heart of food and drink manufacturing.
Award winners include Quorn Foods for Environmental Leadership, Weetabix Food Company for the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, and Ramsden International for Exporter of the Year.
Karen Betts, Chief Executive, The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said: “The FDF Awards once again brought the stars of food and drink industry together, shining a light on the brilliant work they do to ensure our sector can, day in and day out, feed a nation of 70 million people. We celebrated new products, the skills of our teams, the community connections and how the industry is innovating for the future. It was an inspiring evening – and my congratulations to all our award winners and runners up.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail and Leisure, KPMG, said: “KPMG is honoured to once again support the Food and Drink Federation Awards, recognising the resilience and ingenuity of businesses driving progress in a rapidly evolving world. We’re celebrating brilliant people and brilliant businesses using innovation, agility and purpose to shape the future of the food and drink industry.”
Full list of winners below:
- Apprentice of the Year – Joint winner: Alexander Austyn, Packaging Developer Apprentice, Unilever and The Magnum Ice Cream Company, BSc in Packaging Professional Level 6, Sheffield Hallam University; Gabby Dineen, Food Technical Apprenticeship, Unilever and The Magnum Ice Cream Company Food Industry Technical Professional Degree Apprenticeship Level 6, Nottingham Trent University
- Brand Launch of the Year – Joint winner: Wall’s Pastry – When Hunger Calls, Grab a Wall’s; PepsiCo UK – Extra Flamin’ Hot
- Campaign of the Year: PepsiCo UK – No Walkers, No Game
- Community Partner: Danone UK & Ireland
- Diet & Health: Saltire Patisserie
- Education Initiative: Mondelēz International – ProFSET Food Engineer Student Launchpad
- SME Emerging Business: The Gym Kitchen
- Environmental Leadership: Quorn Foods
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Initiative: Weetabix Food Company
- Exporter of the Year: Ramsden International
- Food & Drink Technologist / Scientist of the Year: Dr Robert Griffiths, Technical Specialist – Lipids, RSSL
- Food and Drink Engineer of the Year: Dr Laura Malhi, Associate Principal Engineer, Mondelēz International
- Food Waste Initiative: Quorn Foods cross-functional food redistribution programme
- HR Initiative: Mondelēz Playing to Win Together
- Manufacturing & Digital Transformation: The Pudding Compartment
- Net Zero Initiative: Glebe Farm Foods
- Product Innovation: Vadasz
- Rising Star: Vlad Racins, Combustion Technician, Diploma Level 3 Apprenticeship, British Sugar
- Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist of the Year: Dr Sue Gatenby – PepsiCo UK
- Sustainable Packaging Initiative: The Compleat Food Group
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